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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1953-08-06, Page 8PAGE EIG]lT The'Top, Shelt. • -e-�,-+y.+-ems•.+ai-1-t+.-�•.• . _ .. .. .... .. A half -century ago in Canada there was nothing at all that re- sembled a professional theatre. There was a theatrical tradition of sorts', which had been banded down in Port Royal, Montreal, King- ston and London from the mili- tary, who frequently staged plays for their own amusement in the garrison messes. But that was all. The . few men and women who may have formed the nucleus of a Canadian theatre had the facilities been available were in other parts of the world—particularly in the United States—giving their talents to the development of an Ameri- can theatre. They were such peo- ple as Margaret Anglin and Marie Dressler and Richard Harrison, the son of negro slaves who had escap- ed to Canada and who had during his lifetime played the part of De Lewd more than 2,000 times in the play "Green Pastures". Theda Bare would come a bit later to the early films. And Mary Pickford of Toronto, Ruby Keeler of Halifax, and a very few others left Canada for various phases of the American entertainment world and it was not long before another generation followed them, Ray- mond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Walter Pidgeon, and still another: Glenn Ford, Alexa Smith, Deanna Durbin. But they were mostly film folk. Not until now has a genuine professional theatre in Canada grown out of an immense and historical theatrical activity in this 'country. :k 1 * The Canadian theatre is at long last on the way. In the quaint little city of Stratford in Ontario the Shakespearean festival, star- ring Alec Guinness and supported by Canadian players, is reaching an almost glorious success. Under a tent, in a Canadian town, it is being done. Critic Brooks Atkin- son, of New York has thought the project superb. Billy Rose was almost 'ecstatic. Governor-General Massey would be prejudiced under any circumstances, but in this in- stance he could not be anything but sincere in his praise of the theatrical art which has been dis- played in Stratford. One need not stop there to wit- ness the rumblings of a long -re- strained culture, In Toronto for the second season a tent -theatre in Exhibition Park is presenting a series of professional plays, this year starring Gene Lockhart in its opening performance with a sup- porting cast of Canadians. Not far from all this—at Trinity Col- lege at the University of Toronto— the Earle Grey Players are in their fifth Shakespearean Festival, Mr. Grey came to Canada from England in 1939, . and, like Dr, Tyrone Guthrie, who is towering over Stratford this year as he has towered over British drama for years, he is partly responsible for the firm basis which now is being laid for a national theatre. vse�wvvs.r s-2 * * One may well ask: What good is•it all? But it is an empty ques- tion. What good would there be if the exodus of Canadian talent into the United States were sud- denly stopped and teachers, arch- itects, scientists, writers, music- ians and actors could find their successes right in Canada? i The good would be Canada's. When the time comes for bright young Canadians to find their opportun- ities at home, our national infer- iority complex will disappear and Canada will have a national senti- ment, a national pride, a national culture of her very own. In the meantime there is a for- midable collection of ycung thes- pians from Canada taking theat- rical training abroad. Among them are Suzanne Cloutier of Ottawa, acting in France and Britain; Shirley Douglas, daughter of Sask- atchewan's` premier; Patricia Ow- ens, Alexandre Boycum, who re- cently married British film mag- nate Sir Alexander Korda, and Olga Landiak of London, Ont., all of whom are studying in England, along with Lee Patterson and Ver- non Grey, a new British film actor from Alberta. We hope they will come back to Canada, and they will if the opportunity is here for them. first part at the age of nine months anti who toured in 1937 as Maria in "Twelfth Night" at the age of 65. The book I read was Phyllis Hartnoll's "Oxford Companion to the Theatre". Od- dly enough I nad reached many times in recent months for this wonderful encyclopedia, of the theatre and its people but only now have I realized that I am thinking more about the theatre these days. The reason, of course, is obvious. The Canadian theatre .is at last coming into evidence and every- body seems to want to know more .about it. This is the book every- one interested in Canadian culture and the theatrical background of the world should have on his shelf. It is in keeping with the high standard of Oxford University Press's other companions (English Literature, Music, etc.), Phyllis Hartnoll put her usual acumen in- to the editing of the "Companion to the Theatre", and though it was published in 1951 it is still the best book for general theatric- al reference. * * . When dear old Maude Adams, who achieved immortal fame in Sir James Barrie's "Peter Pan", died in July I found myself reach- ing for a book on the top shelf which would, refresh my memory about that grand lady of the Am- erican stage, one who played her CLINTON NEWS-RHCO,IW Goderich_Township y., Mrs, Ross Middleton, Sandra and Sharon are visiting in Sault Ste. Marie. Miss Mary Elliott is spending a weeks holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stirling. Mrs. Fred Middleton spent the weekend with Miss Kathleen McNaughton, London. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Torrance spent Sunday with his sister Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haines, Severn Bridge. This is what the Companion says about Canadian drama: "Can- ada, a youngcountry, has a young theatre, which cannot as yet claim professional status. Yet it is prob- ably no more amateur than were the first.plays of medieval Europe, and from its present manifesta- tions and constant activity it may, in due course, give rise to a firm- ly based national theatre which will give employment and enter- tainment to many thousands of people." That is just what we have been saying, two years later. In this Oxford volume Miss Hartnoll has edited just about everything there is to know about the theatre, its history and de- velopment in all countries through all periods. Biographies are given of playwrights, from Nicholas Udall (who fathered English drama with "Ralph Roister Doist- er") to T. S. Eliott ("The Cocktail Party") and even some younger writers whose work is really too new to be judged in the fair per- spective of time. Actors, from those who played in Sophocles' first Greek dramas through Richard Burbage and David Garrick to Sir Henry Ir- ving, John Gielgud and Sir Lawr- ence Olivier, are given space ac- cording to their merits. Miss Hartnoll has written many of the articles herself, and a staff of 50 prepared the data, always authentic and a pleasure to read, concerning censorship and copy- right, ballet and mime, theatres everywhere and their programs. An excellent bibliography of theatrical books from many coun- tries is printed at the end' of this Oxford book which I for one have already made my fast companion. .-.-.... o-.-.-.-....7.-...-•-•-• ..-4-.+. LANE OPINES BEACH •-6-+-•-•-4-••••• M -s-* Miss Carol Wallis visited last week with her aunt Mrs. Dave Bean, Colborne. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bower are spending a few days at their home in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Husband, London, spent the weekend at their summer home. Mr. and Mrs. A. Thomas and Elizabeth, Chatham, spent the long weekend at the cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Barry Dunbar and Patsy, Woodstock, spent the weekend at the Dunbar cottage. Oliver Welsh had 'the misfor- tune to break his wrist, while working at his son's farm, Bay- field Line, Weekend guests with Mr. and Mrs. Algin Bottles were Mr, and Mrs. Martin Wright, Bruce and. Karl, Midland. Mr, and Mrs. Ted Harriston, and Mary, Weston, spent the weekend with the lady's parents, Mr, and Mrs. James Stirling. Mr. and Mrs. Earland Betties, Toronto, and his mother Mrs. M. Betties, Goderich, spent the hol- iday with Mr. and Mrs. Allen Betties. Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Thompson, Calgary. Mr. George Thompson and Mr, and Mrs. Howard Thom- pson of Ripley visited over the weekend and holiday with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. P. • G. Hunter, Edmonton, Alta.; Archdeacon W. A:: and Mrs. Townshend, London; Mr, and Mrs. Howard Clark, Tor- onto, were recent visitors with Mrs. H. L. , Wise and family. Community Club The S. S. N. 4 Community Club met at the home of Mrs. Arthur Hebden for the July meeting. Mrs. H. McCartney and Mrs. H. Howard assisted the hostess in serving the lunch. It was decided to dispense with the August meeting. Misses Elaine Rathwell and Cathy Wallis spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Edward Welsh Clinton, last week. Mr. and Mrs. Ross Savauge, Ron, Ted, Sandra and Lynda, Seaforth, are vacationing this week at the Wallis cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pheney, Farmington, Mich., spent the weekend with the lady's . parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bower. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Comley and family, Stratford, spent last week in their new summer home which they have purchased from Miss Elsie Martin. Mrs. James Barnes returned to their summer home this week after the past week in Buffalo with Mr. and Mrs. John Franks. George Woods, Detroit, spent the weekend at his cottage. On his return he was accompanied by Mrs. Woods who spent last v.'eek at the cottage accompanied by Mrs. R. Reeves and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. M. Babb, Miss Mary Babb, Sebringville, spent last week in the Wallis cottage, To Th Futr ?,. "ID Get out and Monday, August_ 10 FOR TRANSPORTATION TO POLLING BOOTH: PHONE: CONSERVATIVE COMMITTEE ROOM 116 public service by the Goderich Junior Chamber of Commerce _ LIBERAL COMMITTEE ROOM 290 This advertisement sponsored as a aim 6 f' a ULEQAto service IN YOUR LOCALITY FOR Estate Planning and Wills Investment Management and Advisory Service 4% Guaranteed Investments 2% on savings — deposits may be mailed Real Estate Services For prompt attention call RAYE B. PATERSON Trust Officer Hansa, Ontario, Phone 51 or any office of GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA TORONTO • MONTREAL OTTAWA • WINDSOR NIAGARA FALLS • SUDBURY SAULT STE. MARIE {. \\OALGARY. VANCOUVER Polling Bobth The polling booth for Goderich Township No, 5 is to be at the residence of Carman Tebbutt, one mile north of No. 8 highway, Concession 16, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. (Standard time). Miss Jean Irvine, Brigden, and Miss Violet. Phillips, Toronto, have been visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Merrill. 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